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by Joshua Heston & Dale Grubaugh
It was like an old-fashioned brush arbor meeting — just a whole lot bigger.
Back in the old days Christian folk in the Ozarks would gather for revivals under the shade of hastily constructed arbors... made of brush.
It was a time of fellowship and of renewal.
Just last September, Rod and Kelly Burton had a new vision with a very old theme:
Create a brand-new gospel music convention, not for the industry but for ministry.
“I’ve seen a lot of people forget why we do what we do,’ says Rod, who began touring and singing southern gospel music at age 12. “We’re here for ministry. It’s not about the bus or the record charts or the CD sales.”
“We wanted to create an event that would minister to the artists as much as to the audience.”
Spanning four days and hosted within the cavernous new Branson Convention Center, Rod and Kelly Burton’s vision came to pass.
Over 160 exhibitors filled the hall. The majority were gospel music artists.
No delineation was made between artist and exhibitor. Except for media, everyone was equal. Every artist performed on the same stage, with free performances running throughout the day.
The stage hosted artist showcases from 11 in the morning until nearly midnight.
Southern gospel music legends showed up to lend their support.
The Chuckwagon Gang, The Florida Boys, The Stamps (Plate 5), and The Blackwood Quartet (Plate 1) all sang several times.
Local groups such as The Revelators (Cassville, Missouri), The Parnells (Fort Smith, Arkansas), and The Missourians (Joplin, Missouri) went on stage during the event.
The convention was also a time for young, emerging talent.
Audiences were introduced to Samaritan Revival (a vocal group from Honduras with an awe-inspiring sound), Taj Rohr (a 20-year-old West Virginian with a powerful, energetic confidence and refreshing humility), and Stone Carter of the Jay Stone Singers (an extremely talented 15-year-old of North Carolina with impressive harmony and stage presence skills).
For many artists, it was their first visit to Branson.
“It’s really pretty here,” said John Allen of Peaceful Hearts (an Ohio-based duo). “It looks a lot like West Virginia, where I grew up.”
“The crowds have been surprisingingly good,” said Rod “and the folks at the City of Branson have been extremely supportive. When one of the folks there told us she would be praying for the success of our event, it really touched us.”
Already comparisons have been made between the young Branson Gospel Music Convention and the venerated — and massive — National Quartet Convention (NQC), which takes place in Louisville, Kentucky, every September.
Both Rod and Kelly are quick to point out they are not creating the event to compete with the NQC.
“Our focus is on the ministry and the message. It really is a coming back to the reason why we do what we do. If we ever get away from that, we won’t do the event.”
If this year is any indication, the Branson Gospel Music Convention is here to stay.
_____
Southern Gospel photo plates
All photo credits: J. Heston. Location: Branson Convention Center, Taney County, Missouri • SOTO © Archive. 12/17/09
Next year...
Plans have already been made for 2010. Expect to see the 2nd Annual Branson Gospel Convention take place at the Branson Convention Center, June 28 through July 2.
2009 Branson Gospel Music Convention Schedule:
Tuesday, July 14, 2009<
9:00 AM - Artist Worship & Chapel Service (open to exhibitors only) with Bobby Carter and Young Harmony
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM - FREE Artist Showcase Concert, Hosted by 2nd Generation & KWFC Radio
Scheduled to minister: 2nd Generation, The Revelators, Praise Incorporated, David East, Doris Bullington, Chuck Wagon Gang, The Ellis Family, Faithful II, Jake Holder, The Baker Family, The Groves Family, The Bradford Trio, Blackwood Quartet, Expectation, Redemption Road, RhonPaul Ministries, The Wilsons, Beyond the Ashes, Violet Maynard, Freddy Pierce, Lynette Williams, New Direction, Charles Ross, Annette Herndon, Gospel Guitar Guys, Homesteaders, Darrell Marshall, The Nehrkorns, Chris Unthank
6:00 PM - Concert begins
Scheduled to minister: Special opening number, Dale & Cheryl Golden, Ministers Quartet, The Ladds, Marcey Wall, Eric Hinson, Sue Ann O’Neal, Crossway, Blackwood Quartet, Ron Brewer, Barbara Fairchild, Jay Stone Singers, Shannon Bunch, Young Harmony, Mary Fay Jackson, Red Roots, Boys of the Fort, Chuck Wagon Gang, Samaritan Revival, The Cerces, Full LIfe Trio, Taj Rohr
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
8:30 AM - 10:30 AM - Branson GMC / HIS Choice Music Talent Search
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM - FREE Artist Showcase Concert, Hosted by Rev. Mike Powell, SGM Radio’s Rob Patz, & more
Scheduled to minister: Rev. Mike Powell, Kathy Atkins, Mike & Darla Cornell (Psalm 100), Chuck Wagon Gang, Homelighters Quartet, Young Song, Marla Conrad, The Crusaders Quartet, Bill Schell, Gospel River Boys, McMillan & Life, Shelton Bissell, RC Hodge, Dustin & Kaila, The Revived, James McMickin, Calvary Echoes, The McDaniel Quartet, The Stanleys, Karen Shadbolt, Calebs Call, The Peaceful Hearts, Ambassadors of Grace, Mary Davis, Canaan Bound, Gospel Guitar Guys, Roy Edwards, English Family Quartet, Curt Shoemaker
6:00 PM - Concert begins
Scheduled to minister: The Paul Family, The Parish Family, CS&K, Northern Edge, Harris Family, 2nd Generation, Rod Burton, Beyond the Ashes, Chuck Wagon Gang, Kirk Talley, Original Gospel Sounds, Wendy Word & Forgiven, Kenny Bishop, Canaan Bound, Curt Shoemaker, Blackwood Quartet, Homesteaders, Judah, Lottie Collier, The Nehrkorns, The Missourians
Thursday, July 16, 2009
9:00 AM - Worship Service/Chapel - OPEN TO ALL - with Kirk Talley & Rev. Mike Powell
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM - FREE Artist Showcase Concert, Hosted by Shannon Bunch, Scott Godsey, Freddie Pierce, & more
Scheduled to minister: Shannon Bunch, Shane Tecza, Crosspoint Quartet, His Call Ministries, Violet Maynard, Lighthouse Messengers, Rod Burton, Hannah ‘Belle’ Southerland, Faithful Touch Trio, Hearts of Grace, Cherise Perkins, Darrell Marshall, Florida Boys, Debbie Bennett, Homesteaders, James McMicken, Cathy Reynolds, The Cerces, Tammy Norris, Homelighters Quartet, Chris Hester, Promises, Keith Caldwell, Kelly Perry, Samaritan Revival, Singing Weavers, The Revelators, Taj Rohr, Jericho, Charles Ross
6:00 PM - Diamond Awards
8:30 PM - Concert begins
Scheduled to minister: The Shireys, Hearts of Faith, Hinson Revival, Ascension Quartet, The Stamps, Kenny Bishop, The Florida Boys, Bev McCann, One for All, Crusader’s Quartet, Lookin’ Up
Friday, July 17, 2009
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM - FREE Artist Showcase Concert, Hosted By Clayton Watson, Lynda Lynn, Jimmy McMillan, & more
Scheduled to minister: Clayton Watson, Evidence, Lookin’ Up, Marla Conrad, Shelton Bissell, Kirk Talley, Lighthouse Messengers, Bill Allen, Instruments of Faith, Jake Holder, Hannah ‘Belle’ Southerland, Messengers N Harmony, The Baker Family, RhonPaul Ministries, Kathy Carpenter, Dennis Gene Rehders, Keith Caldwell, McMillan & Life, Roy Edwards, The Parnells, Debbie Bennett, Shine On Trio, The Stamps, Jim Linzey, The Ladds, Original Gospel Sounds, Praise Incorporated, The Bradford Trio, The Shannons, Hearts of Grace
6:00 PM - Concert begins
Scheduled to minister: Gold Harbor, Shine On Trio, Gospel River Boys, Sunday Edition, Weston Hinson & By Faith, 2nd Generation, The Shannons, Lynda Lynn, Perfect Peace, Young Harmony, McMillan & LIfe, The Roarks, Jay Stone Singers, Florida Boys, Blackwood Quartet, The Stamps, Peggy Inks, The Bethels, The English Family, Jericho
July 19, 2009